“Americans toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times.” – CleanAir.org
Ummm, what?! It’s crazy how quickly it all adds up, but keep that simple fact in mind next time you’re ordering food to go. Many establishments these days offer free plastic utensils, copious napkins and unnecessary bags to carry your boxed food in. Simply refusing the add-ons can make a huge difference in the impact we have on our planet. Even if they sneak in all the extras, take the extra step to use, reuse or recycle what you can rather than tossing it all in the trash.
The true underlying problem here isn’t the products themselves, it’s how they’re marketed. DISPOSABLE.
“A disposable (also called disposable product) is a product designed for a single use after which it is recycled or is disposed as solid waste. The term often implies cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability. The term is also sometimes used for products that may last several months (ex. disposable air filters) to distinguish from similar products that last indefinitely (ex. washable air filters).” –Wikipedia
When making any argument for or against something, its important to look at both sides, and fortunately, many people have already done that. In a recent Treehugger.com blog post the argument is made for reusables. Sure it takes less resources (energy, water, time) to make disposables, but when considering the lifespan of durable goods, the manufacturing process for them is negligible in comparison. The real argument comes down to how much water is being used to clean silverware versus the impact of having a lot of plastic in the landfill. Ultimately, its better for the planet, and every living thing on it, to employ reusables when possible.
Paper straws are having a moment. embrace it!
There are already a handful of companies working on upgrading “disposables” into “compostables” such as Vegware. Their philosophy: “By harnessing technology in creative ways, we can reduce the impact of today’s consumer society. Our products are made from plants. By choosing natural materials, we can reduce pollution, the use of finite resources, and the amount of waste which must be disposed of in a landfill.” –Vegware.us
Compostables aren’t offered everywhere however, but disposables made from recycled materials, or that are responsibly produced, can go a long way too. One of the 4th Annual Trashion Fashion Show sponsors this year, Susty Party, focuses on being as eco & globally-minded as possible when building their brand. “Susty Party’s tableware is compostable yet colorful, highly-functional, party-ready, and responsibly made in partnership with non-profit factories who employ and empower the visually impaired community. All Susty Party products are non-toxic, made from renewable or sustainably harvested materials, and made in North America!”
disposable wooden utensils
So, as the consumer, how can YOU make the difference. Without telling your local restaurants how to do their job, there are some simple, and free, changes you can make each day to ease the landfills.
- Keep a spare fork, spoon or knife in your car, purse or office.
- Invest in some fun to-go cutlery to keep on hand.
- At home, use cloth napkins instead of paper.
- Carry a (stylish) reusable coffee cup sleeve.
Don’t miss a featured community partner, Tree Sleeve, and their quest to lessen the impact your daily brew takes on the planet. Leave us a comment about your easy tricks to use less ‘disposables’
Sources:
GreenBusinessOwner.com
Wikipedia
Treehugger.com
Vegware
Sustyparty.com
evergreendesignco.wordpress.com 